Manuel Pellegrini: 'We deserve more credit'

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has called for his side to be given more praise from outside the club after they beat Roma 2-0 to move into the knockout stages of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Pellegrini's side were without Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany, while David Silva was only fit enough to feature from the bench, but goals from Pablo Zabaleta and Samir Nasri sent City through to the last 16.

Pellegrini told Sky Sports News: "I don't want to complain about the injuries to my team but without them it is difficult. I think it is time for the press to give us more credit, Sergio wasn't playing but we've qualified and we're playing like we have been in the Premier League.

"We are a solid team and we play the ball in the correct way and at the moment, the team is working together with and without the ball. I had a lot of trust in my players tonight.

"We are making good progress and playing like we were last year when we won the league."

City finished second in the group below winners Bayern Munich, while Roma were forced to settle for a place in the Europa League.